DWF Dubai launches employment practice

DWF has launched a new employment practice in Dubai following the appointment of employment partner Shiraz Sethi as the business continues to grow its UAE presence. He joins DWF from Stephenson Harwood where he specialised in DIFC Employment Law and UAE Labour Law.

Sethi’s practice covers both contentious and non-contentious employment matters. He regularly advises on offer letters, employment, consultancy and secondment contracts, provides advice on immigration and visa requirements, medicals and certification of documents, and frequently reviews employee handbooks and company policies. He also has extensive experience on advising on terminations and visa cancellations as well as running a disciplinary procedure from commencement to completion. Sethi also assists on filing claims with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and is a frequent user of the DIFC Courts Small Claims Tribunal with rights of audience.

With Sethi’s wealth of experience, he has previously established and developed a credible employment practice at in his previous role. He has also received the accolade of Young Lawyer of the Year at the Annual Legal Gala and, as a result, was commissioned by the Chief Justice of the DIFC Courts to draft the commentary on the DIFC Employment Law in conjunction with the Academy of Law and Lexis Nexis. This initiative has further led him to being asked by the chief legal officer at the DIFC Authority to assist in the preparation and drafting of the new DIFC Employment Law, which will come into force in the near future. As a result of securing this mandate, Sethi and his team were highly recommended at The Oath Legal Awards in 2016 and were awarded Employment Team of the Year at the Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards 2017

Sethi works closely with the Dispute Resolution Authority on a number of key initiatives including the Certificate in Human Resource and Practice, the DIFC’s pro bono programme and an active committee member of the Annual Legal Gala. He also sits on the Learning and Development Board of the DRA. Sethi was also ranked in Chambers as an associate to watch.

Waseem Khokhar, managing partner of DWF Middle East, said, “As we continue to strategically expand our UAE presence and capability, bringing in strong lateral hires with local knowledge and commercial insight is key to delivering results for clients. Shiraz will be an excellent addition to the team, bringing expertise in employment matters that will help clients in the region navigate the many complexities of the UAE labour laws, which is a growing area of attention for all sectors in the region.”

Shiraz Sethi added, “DWF has a strong presence and reputation in the UAE and I believe this will give me an excellent platform and framework for building the employment practice in the UAE and beyond. The recent Saudi alliance the business has forged and its ever- growing footprint in the UAE has led DWF to becoming a strong player in the region, and I look forward to being a part of its continued evolution.”